BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society - ECPv6.16.4//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://rcts.org.uk X-WR-CALDESC:Events for The Railway Correspondence & Travel Society REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Europe/London BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20230326T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20231029T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20240331T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20241027T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20250330T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20251026T010000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+0000 TZOFFSETTO:+0100 TZNAME:BST DTSTART:20260329T010000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+0100 TZOFFSETTO:+0000 TZNAME:GMT DTSTART:20261025T010000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250429T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20241213T175509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250326T103130Z UID:10002956-1745935200-1745944200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Sir Nigel Gresley\, His Life and Work DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Simon Martin. \nFollowing on from last year’s lecture on Edward Thompson\, we now turn our attention to his predecessor’s work and designs\, using fresh sources of primary information compared alongside previously conceived and published research. We can review his work and see in a fresh light with better understanding the real achievements and innovations Sir Nigel Gresley led the way in for the railway industry as a whole. In addition\, we examine all of Gresley’s designs and those of other engineers he modified during his tenure\, and how he encouraged and nurtured others who would ultimately succeed him.\nAll of this is fully supported with a wealth of references\, tables\, graphs and a fabulous array of photographs\, many of which have never been in print before\, as we utilise the resources and archives of the Gresley Society.\n Simon Martin \nDoors open at 13:00 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/sir-nigel-gresley-his-life-and-work/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2025-Simon-Martin.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250325T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250325T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20241205T163150Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241205T163150Z UID:10002922-1742911200-1742920200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:AGM and German Steam DESCRIPTION:The Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch AGM followed by a presentation by George Howe. \nDetails to follow. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/agm-and-german-steam/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250225T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250225T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20241205T162252Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250124T142932Z UID:10002920-1740492000-1740501000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Remembering my Lines DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Colin Brading. \n‘Remembering My Lines’ is a personal ‘photographic potpourri’ of many and varied railway themes. On a wide-ranging journey\, Colin will share favourite scenes\, places and images that span from his early years with notebooks on platforms to the present-day\, reflecting a life-long passion for railways and a fifty-year career as a professional railway engineer. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/remembering-my-lines-2/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Feb-2025-Colin-Brading-IOM.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20250128T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20250128T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20241130T120530Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T173829Z UID:10002907-1738072800-1738081800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Memories of a Gorleston Spotter (Part 1) DESCRIPTION:A presentation by Chris Wright for the Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch. \nFrom the presenter\, in his own words: \nChris Wright grew up in the 1950s and 60s in the Norfolk seaside town of Gorleston-on-Sea. His talk covers memories of early days spotting in Norfolk: on holidays with the family\, and numerous school holiday stays with relatives in Hitchin between 1959 and 1965\, where he became an honorary member of the local spotting fraternity\, and with whom he did many trips in pursuit of steam as it receded from the East of England. His talk is in two parts\, the first on Tuesday 28th January 2025 and the second on Tuesday 28th October 2025 \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/memories-of-a-gorleston-spotter-part-1/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Jan-2025-Chris-Wright-a-repeat.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241217T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241217T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240829T132330Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241213T170223Z UID:10002820-1734444000-1734453000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Hitchin & Potton Snippets DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by George Howe.\nThis replaces the previously advertised presentation. \nIn the words of the presenter = \nI moved to Potton in August 1952\, aged 10\, into a railway cottage next to the Bedford to Cambridge branch\, very near to Potton Station. I met some new friends and cycled to Sandy with them\, and soon found there was such a hobby as train spotting.\nBy Spring 1953 I brought my first ABC books – for the Eastern and Midland regions. Seventy one years later I have still not been cured.\nAfter leaving school at 15\, with a story attached which will come to light in my talk\, I became Telegraph Lad at HF. Hitchin South signal box.\nThroughout my railway career\, I later relieved\, worked\, was involved with engineering work\, and various emergencies at Hitchin on many occasions.\nThese experiences have made many “snippets”. \nAt this pre-Christmas meeting there will be “festive nibbles” available to all attendees! \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/railway-preservation-in-france/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Dec-2024-George-Howe.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241126T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241126T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240829T132008Z LAST-MODIFIED:20241010T143154Z UID:10002819-1732629600-1732638600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Colchester in the Age of Steam DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Dave Goodyear. \nColchester has much to interest the railway enthusiast and historian. Within its original borough boundaries it had a major junction\, three stations and associated goods yards\, a motive power depot and a quay tramway. Passenger traffic included large numbers of holiday trains to the Norfolk and Essex coasts\, and boat trains to Parkeston Quay in addition to the regular services. Local industries and the quay at Hythe provided for significant goods traffic. In the period up to the end of steam in September 1962 the area underwent major changes\, with the rapid introduction of diesel traction\, the first application by BR of 25kV AC electrification and a major station rebuild with associated track layout changes. \nDoors open 13:30 for a 14:00 start. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/colchester-in-the-age-of-steam-3/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Nov-2024-580913-Colchester-65457-3_44-to-Cambridge-via-Sudbury.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20241029T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20241029T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240729T204441Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240923T133314Z UID:10002743-1730210400-1730219400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Travels Around Ukraine by Steam DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Michael Smyth. \nPictures from three trips to the Ukraine in 1993\, 1999 and 2002. These illustrate Russian designed steam locomotives at work and explains the American influence of the 1930s.\nMore importantly it aims to give an insight into the history\, geography and normal life\, in this now sadly war-torn country.\nThe picture above is a P36 class 4-8-4 on a run-past – Russia’s final post-WWII design of an express passenger engine\, of which 250 were built up to 1959. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/travels-around-ukraine-by-steam/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/October-2024-Michael-Smyth-043-scaled.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240924T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240924T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240729T203425Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240829T134728Z UID:10002741-1727186400-1727195400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Through Kirton Tunnel - Sheffield to Cleethorpes DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation by Stephen Gay. \nOur annual presentation from Stephen. Expect to hear the story behind each of the photos. Also expect to hear his poetry. \nDoors open 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/through-kirton-tunnel-kirton-lindsey-to-cleethorpes/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Sept-2024-Steven-Gay.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240730T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240730T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240503T140900Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240522T111645Z UID:10002630-1722348000-1722357000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Another Western European Miscellany DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Rob Freeman. \nI will be showing a variety of themes from various countries from my collection of modern traction photos that I have been taking for the last 40 years or so. There will be scenes from France\, Germany\, Belgium\, The Netherlands\, Luxembourg\, Austria and Switzerland. There are also sections on liveries\, Eurosheds\, unusual workings and number curiosities. Exact topics shown will depend on the time and the wishes of the audience!\nThe picture shows CC1451 at Richemont doing the sort of job it was designed for\, hauling a heavy train of iron ore in 1990. The 102 locos of this class were very powerful\, but had a maximum speed of only 60 kph\, which was their downfall in later years.\nRob Freeman \nDoors open 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/a-further-western-european-miscellany/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/July-2024-Rob-Freeman-1-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240625T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240625T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240503T135954Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240624T195444Z UID:10002628-1719324000-1719333000@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:The History of the 125 High Speed Train 1975-2023 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation by Richard Morris. \nThe Inter City 125 High Speed Trains were introduced to the Great British public in 1975 after the Advanced Passenger Train project stalled a bit. The HSTs were intended to be a stop-gap\, but ended up forming the core Inter City fleet for Britain’s Railways for more than 40 years\, serving the Western Region\, Eastern Region and Midland Main line\, along with Cross Country services. The programme will take a look back from the early days and bring us up to 2023. \nThe image is of Great Western’s 43094 – at Casnewydd (otherwise known as Newport\, South Wales) on 23rd October 2006. The power car was recently outshopped in the\, then\, latest FGW livery and had also just been fitted with an MTU 16V4000 power unit. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/the-history-of-the-125-high-speed-train-1975-2023/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/June-2024-Welwyn-Richard-Morris-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240528T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240528T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240201T115859Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240405T152610Z UID:10002570-1716904800-1716913800@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Railtours and Specials (Part 2) DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: John Day. \nFollowing on from the May 2023 presentation “Railtours\, Specials and Unusual Workings” this second presentation\, on the same theme\, looks at archive material that didn’t make the cut last time plus additional new material. A lot seems to have happened in the last year with some interesting Railtours and unusual workings! Hopefully something to enthuse everyone! \ndoors open 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/railtours-and-specials-part-2/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/May-2024-John-Day-37114-at-Westerfield-6Z06-09-40-Temple-MIlls-Lowewstoft-05-08-03.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240430T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240201T115556Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T111350Z UID:10002569-1714485600-1714494600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:That Was The Year That Was - 1971 DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Geoff Plumb \nGeoff returns with another of his popular TWTYTW series. \n‘That Was the Year That Was – 1971’. A very busy year covering railways in the UK\, including British Railways\, industrials\, some North Wales narrow gauge\, last of steam on London Transport\, Humber paddle steamers\, and the Bulmer’s Cider Train return to steam. Interspersed with several trips to West Germany and also East Germany. \nDoors open: 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/that-was-the-year-that-was-1971-2/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/April-2024-Deoff-Plumb-1971-12-30-King-Class-6000-George-V.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240326T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240326T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240201T115204Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240229T105403Z UID:10002568-1711461600-1711470600@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Tunnel Vision - The History of the Metropolitan Railway DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Colin Brading. \nThe story of the Metropolitan\, the world’s first underground railway. Less than four miles long when it opened – to great acclaim – in January 1863\, this ‘little acorn’ grew as a proud independent company to spread many branches and ‘the Met’ has shaped and served London’s metropolis with great distinction and character ever since. \nDoors open: 13:30 URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/tunnel-vision-the-history-of-the-metropolitan-railway/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/March-2023-Colin-Brading.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240227T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240227T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20240201T114817Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240201T120757Z UID:10002567-1709042400-1709051400@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:East Anglia in the 2020s DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City branch presentation. \nPresenter: Iain Scotchman. \nDetails to follow. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/east-anglia-in-the-2020s/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20240130T140000 DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20240130T163000 DTSTAMP:20260617T115333 CREATED:20231129T124724Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231224T122213Z UID:10002497-1706623200-1706632200@rcts.org.uk SUMMARY:Steam in the Kings Cross Area - in the 50's and 60's DESCRIPTION:A Hitchin & Welwyn Garden City Branch presentation. \nPresenter: David Percival. \nIt was in 1953 that the Percival family moved from South London to North Hertfordshire. For the next ten years\, until the end of regular steam in the area\, David spotted at the ECML lineside\, travelled by train to school and latterly commuted to Kings Cross. \nThis presentation chronicles the variety of steam classes and workings he observed “on the GN” during that decade\, illustrated with photographs from ColourRail and others as well as some of his own pictures taken in the closing years. \nThis photo shows 64206 shunting the morning Hitchin-Hertford ‘pick up’ at Langley Junction on 17 January 1959 (photo by Basil Coles). This image is in the presentation. \nDoors open 13:30. URL:https://rcts.org.uk/event/steam-in-the-kings-cross-area-in-the-50s-and-60s/ LOCATION:HTC Welwyn\, Digswell Village Church Hall\, Welwyn\, Hertfordshire\, AL6 0DH\, United Kingdom CATEGORIES:Branch Meetings,HTC Hitchin and Welwyn Garden City,Indoor Event ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://rcts.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/hitchin-and-welwyn-garden-city-branch/Misc/Jan-2024-David-Percival.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR